BiCNU Side Effects

Generic name: carmustine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 26, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about BiCNU Side Effects associated with carmustine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name BiCNU.

Applies to carmustine: implantation implant.

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous powder for solution

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is receiving it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use an effective form of birth control for 6 months to keep from getting pregnant after receiving the medicine. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control for 3 months after implantation with this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant following implantation of this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause seizures after the surgical procedure. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of seizures after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause an increased pressure in the head (intracranial hypertension). Tell your doctor right away if you have a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, or any change in vision after receiving the implant.

This medicine may cause a brain infection called meningitis. Tell your doctor right away if you have a severe headache, confusion, drowsiness, nausea, a general feeling of illness, or a stiff neck.

Some men receiving this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). If you plan to have children, talk to your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Serious side effects of BiCNU

Along with its needed effects, carmustine (the active ingredient contained in BiCNU) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking carmustine:

Other side effects of BiCNU

Some side effects of carmustine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to carmustine: implant device, intravenous powder for injection.

Respiratory adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism
• Frequency not reported: Pulmonary toxicity (IV formulation)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Myelosuppression (IV formulation)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea, vomiting, constipation
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain
• Postmarketing reports: Diarrhea, anorexia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Increased transaminase, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased bilirubin^[Ref]

Renal

• Postmarketing reports: Progressive azotemia, decrease in kidney size, renal failure^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Postmarketing reports: Tachycardia, chest pain, Veno-occlusive disease^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Administration reactions (IV formulation)
• Postmarketing reports: Burning sensation^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenia, fever
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain
• Frequency not reported: Wafer migration (wafer formulation)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Ocular toxicity (IV formulation)
• Postmarketing reports: Conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, blurred vision, loss of depth perception^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Postmarketing reports: Acute leukemia, bone marrow dysplasia^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Impaired neurosurgical wound healing (wafer formulation) (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Meningitis (wafer formulation)
• Postmarketing reports: Opportunistic infection (sometimes fatal)

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain

Metabolic

• Postmarketing reports: Diabetes mellitus

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Confusion, depression
• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, thinking abnormal, hallucinations, insomnia, personality disorder

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Intracranial hypertension (wafer formulation), brain abscess (wafer formulation), brain cyst (wafer formulation), hydrocephalus (wafer formulation), cerebral edema (wafer formulation), amnesia, facial paralysis, ataxia, hypesthesia, paresthesia, abnormal gait, dizziness, tremor, coma, hypokinesia
• Postmarketing reports: Headache, encephalopathy

(wafer formulation) (23%), aphasia, somnolence, speech disorder

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperpigmentation, swelling, erythema, skin necrosis, alopecia, allergic reaction

See also:

Further information

BiCNU side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer